STACk 


r 


CONSTITUTION, 

BY-LAWS  AND    RULES, 

OF 

nOOSlCK  IflLLEY  LODGE, 

NUMBER  ONE  HUNDRED  &  TWENTY-NINE. 

L  O.  of  O.  F. 

Instituted  at  South.  Adams,  Mass. 


'FRIENDSHIP,  LOVE  AND   TIIUTH." 


PITTSFIET.D  : 

PRINTED  BY  Br.  V/.   D.  AXTEL. 


PREFACE. 


In  presenting  the  public  with  our  Constitution  and  By- 
Laws,  it  is  but  just  that  lliey  should  be  accompanied  with 
at  least  a  br^^f  notice  of  the  principles,  tendency  and  his- 
tory of  the  Order.  The  principles  and  tendency  of  any 
system  demand  exposition  ;  both  for  its  own  sake  and  for 
the  sake  of  the  community.  Principles  are  frequently 
judged  of,  not  by  the  fair  operation  of  those  principles, 
but  by  the  acts  of  professors.  Hence,  pure  doctrines, 
and  schemes  of  good, darkened  and  distorted  to  the  vision  of 
the  world,  are  denounced  and  ridiculed  ;  when,  had  they 
been  clearly  exhibited,  these  erroneous  judgments  would 
have  been  refuted  and  these  misunderstandings  rectified — 
they  would  have  been  joyfully  adopted  and  would  have 
triumphantly  prevailed.  Even  holy  and  inspired  religion 
has  suffered  from  such  causes.  She  has  been  despised 
and  persecuted,  and  from  within  her  own  temples  bave 
arisen  her  deadliest  foes.  Cunning  ambition,  perverting 
her  spiritual  precepts,  has  reached  after  thrones  and  dia- 
dems : — mad  fanaticism  has  shouted  from  her  battlements: 
— narrow-minded  bigotry,  and  drunken  zeal,  have  sharp- 
ened instruments  of  torture  in  her  name  :- -envy,  hate, 
and  war  have  gone  out  from  her ;  and  thus  from  the  acts 
of  her  own  professed  votaries,  has  the  world  lost  sight 
of  her  principles  of  judgment,  faith,  and  mercy;  and  has 
considered  the  evil  acts  of  these  instead: — cold  hearts 
have  therefore  been  given  to  her  pure  teachings,  and  the 
finger  of  contempt,  and  the  scornful  smile  of  unbelief  have 
been  bent  upon  her  real  messengers.  If,  then,  a  system 
emanating  from  the  throne  of  omnipotence,  on  account  of 
a  perversion  and  m.isjudgment  of  its  principles,  would 
have  utterly  perished  from  the  earth,  but  that  it  is  upheld 
by  an  almighty  arm— what  may  we  not  rationally  expect 


l?Odntr-;cr 


4  PREFACE. 

for  those  which  partake  more  of  the  earthly  and  human 
in  their  character?  Therefore,  for  the  sake  of  a  sys- 
tem ITSELF,  its  principles  should  be  exhibited. 

The  principle  of  association,  that  has  wrought  such 
wonders  in  this  age,  and  in  every  department  of  society, 
has  been  adopted  by  our  order;  and  we  unite  in  social 
compact,  for  our  own  mutual  benefit,  and  for  the  specific 
purpose  of  extending  to  the  sick,  the  widow,  and  orphan, 
efficient  and  timely  aid.  The  experience  of  years  has 
proved,  that,  though  our  regular  contributions  to  the  treas- 
ury are,  in  themselves,  but  trifling,  still  they  afford  abun- 
dant means  for  affording  effectual  relief  to  all  our  needy 
members ;  and  we  are  not  aware  that  a  single  instance 
has  occured,  where  a  lodge  has  not  been  able  to  meet  all 
the  demands  of  this  kind  that  have  been  niade  upon  its 
treasury.  And  we  may  safely  say,  that  ui^r  our  pres- 
ent organization  and  regulations,  no  poor  brother  will 
want  the  necessaries  of  life — no  widow  will  go  out  to  beg 
— no  orphan  be  left  uneducated.  Such  things  have  not 
been  known  amongst  us,  and  they  will  not  occur.  Our 
means,  then,  are  sufficient  to  carry  out  our  objects. 

And  then,  again,  we  save  the  distressed  from  the  hu- 
miliating necessity  of  asking  for  charity.  The  mpmber  of 
this  institution,  by  the  payment  of  a  small  sum  xveekly, 
fully  within  the  reach  of  every  man  in  health,  secures  to 
himself  a  positive  right,  not  to  a  trifle  of  charity  to  be 
meted  out  at  pleasure,  but  to  a  liberal  and  specified  amount 
in  time  of  sickness  and  distress.  He  secures  to  his  wife 
in  case  of  his  demise,  a  like  specified  sum,  and  to  his 
children  the  means  of  an  education.  The  sick  brother, 
therefore  appeals  not  to  his  lodge  m  the  character  of  a 
petitioner  for  alms.  But  he  goes  to  a  fund  which  he  has 
himself,  in  part,  created  ;  and  in  the  full  consciousness 
of  his  independence,  he  claims  that  which  is  his  own,  by 
virtue  of  the  very  terms  of  the  compact  into  which  he  has 
entered.  There  is  here  no  crushing  of  the  spirits,no  com- 
promise of  the  dignity  of  the  rnan,  no  humbling  of  that 
laudable  pride  that  every  man  ought  to  feel  in  being  able 
to  provide  for  himself.  So  of  the  widow  3  she  comes  not 
to  the  lodge  as  a  beggar.  But  she  comes  with  the  knowl- 
edge of  her  rights,  and  she  demands  that  boon  for  whicti 
she  knows  her  husband  has  paid.  She  asks  no  stinted 
charity,  to  be  dealt  out  by  the  miserly  hand  of  avarice. — 
But  she  asks  that  which  is  her  own.    So,  also,  with  the 


PREFACE.  5 

orphan."  He  comes  not  to  our  halls  to  crave  alms,  as  an 
humble  mendicant  ;  but  in  the  consciousness  of  Ins  right, 
he  claims  care,  protection  and  education,  by  virtue  of 
what  his  father  has  done  and  paid.  It  is  his  inheritance 
from  his  father,  and  wo  to  the  lodge,  or  the  man,  that 
would  withhold  it,  or  rob  him  of  his  portion.  There  is 
therefore  none  of  that  sinking  of  the  spirits  or  searing  of 
the  heart,  which  is  attendant  upon  the  course  of  the  beg- 
gar,  ana  especially  upon  contact  with  the  unfeeling,  who 
turn  the  needy  away  empty. 

Against  the  imposition  of  unworthy  applicants  for  the 
benetits  of  the  order  we  are  secured  by  our  secrecy. — ■ 
There  are,with  us  "certain  well-known  signs  and  tokens," 
knovvn  only  to  Odd  Fellows,  and  by  which  we  have  the 
means  of  knowing  whether  a  man  is,  or  is  not,  what  he 
professes  to  be.  No  matter  what  these  signs  are.  If 
they  were  no  more  than  taking  oflF  the  hat  with  the  left 
hand  instead  of  the  right,  as  is  usual,  yet  you  see  at  once, 
if  ^^ were  an  inviolable  secret,  and  known  only  to  an 
OciPFellow,  no  impostor  could  deceive  us.  And  here  let 
us  say,  that  the  only  earthly  use  of  all  our  signs  is  to 
preserve  us  from  imposition.  Their  utility  consists  only 
in  the  fact  that  they  are  secrets.  And  if  you  ask,  why 
we  do  not  make  them  known?  Our  answer  is,  that  if 
vie  should  do  so  they  would  cease  to  be  of  any  utility  to 
us  or  any  other  person.  They  would  serve  us  no  better 
purpose  than  the  private  msrk  of  the  merchant  if  every 
one  knew  the  key  by  which  to  read  i't.  Should  you  ask. 
why  we  cannot  as  well  secure  ourselves  against  imposi- 
tion without  these  secrets,  as  a  common  benefit  society  I 
Our  reply  is,  if  we  were  confined,  like  such  institutions, 
to  one  place,  we  could  do  so.  But  you  will  bear  in  mind 
that  ours  is  a  widely  extended  fraternity,  scattered  over 
the  length  and  breadth  of  this  vast  continent,  crossing  the 
waters  and  spreading  over  Europe  ;  and  when  the  stran- 
ger comes  from  afar,  and  presents  a  certificate,  perhaps  in 
a  foreign  language,  we  are  bound  to  relieve  his  wants;— 
but  how  do  we  know  that  this  certificate  is  not  a  forgery, 
or  even  that  he  is  the  man  in  whose  name  it  is  given  ? 
we  need,  in  such  cases,  security  greater  than  a  mere  lo- 
cal institution;  and  this  we  have  in  our  secrecy.  We 
cannot  be  deceived  ;  but  when  we  relieve  a  distressed 
brother  we  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  he  is 
an  Odd  Fellow,  and  as  such,  has  done  a  share  at  least,  to 


relieve  others  similarly  situated.  That  the  Institution  is 
perfect  we  cannot  pretend,  for  what  offspring  of  human 
\lisdom  is  faultless  ?  But  we  point  you  to  the  fact  that 
this  is  a  world  of  suffering,  that  sickness  and  poverty  may, 
and  death  positively  will  come,  and  that  suffering  does 
exist,  in  nameless  forms,  through  all  the  world.  And  we 
present  ours  as  an  institution  that  combines  many  advan- 
tages for  securing  the  most  efifectual  mitigation  of  these 
evils. 

We  avow  it  as  our  firm  conviction,  that  there  is  no  insti- 
tution on  earth  which  has  done  and  is  doing  more,  in  pro- 
portion to  its  numbers,  for  the  benefit  of  the  distressed  and 
the  poor.  For  this  reason  alone,  we  feel  a  cheering  con- 
fidence, that  when  the  objects  and  works  of  this  institu- 
tion are  known,  they  will  be  appreciated  ;  and  we  invoke 
upon  it,  in  an  especial  manner,  the  srrnles  and  the  appro- 
bation of  our  fair  friends,  who  of  all  others,  are  most  inter- 
ested in  its  objects.  We  say  most  interested,  because  it 
is  upon  the  tender  and  delicate  female  that  the  v\^|«ht 
of  adversity  falls  most  heavily,  and  is  felt  most  sevSwly. 
When  man's  strong  arm  is  feeble  with  disease,  and  the 
means  of  subsistence  for  his  dependent  family  are  cut  off, 
he  may  indeed  suffer  ;  but  more  keen,  by  far,  are  the  suf- 
ferings of  his  companion,  who,  in  addition  to  her  midnight 
watchings,  is  borne  down  with  new  and  numerous  cares 
and  oppressed  with  fearful  apprehensions  of  the  future. — 
So  when  death  comes,  and  cuts  down  the  husband  and 
the  father,  when  the'hearthstone  is  desolate,  and  the  stay 
and  support  of  the  family  is  laid  in  the  grave,  the  orphans 
indeed  may  weep  ;  but  happily  for  them,  they  cannot  ap- 
preciate their  loss  ;  and  though  crushed  for  a  moment, 
their  buoyant  spirits  soon  recover  from  the  shock  ;  and 
as  bright  visions  of  hope  dance  from  their  eyes,  they 
will  look  up  and  smile  through  their  tears.  But  it  is 
not  so  with  the  wife  and  the  mother.  Upon  her  head 
comes  the  fury  of  the  storm.  Worn  down  with  wea'-y 
watchings,  she  feels  that  a  new  and  weighty  responsibility 
has  devolved  upon  her  ;  the  present  is  dreary,  and  the  fu- 
ture dark  and  cheerless,  and  she  feels  not  for  herself  a- 
lone,  but  more  keenly  than  all,  for  the  tender  babes  that 
are  left  unprotected  in  the  world.  To  afford  all  the  re-, 
lief  that  human  aid  can  afford,  in  seasons  like  these, is  the 
prime  object  of  our  institution  ;  and  for  this  cause,  we 
conceive  that  woman  should  be  the  last  to  raise  her  voica 
against  it. 


PREFACE.  V 

Man  alone,  under  ordinary    circumstances,  can  b?' 
his  way  through  the  difficulties  and  dangers  of  life; 
for  his  own  sake,  he  might  not,  perhaps,  so  much 
the  security  afforded  by  such  an  institution  as   tliis. 
if  he  have  a  wife  and  children,  they  may  be  left  alon 
and  for  her  sake  and  theirs,  a  provident  care  fur  tht 
Ture  should  admonish  him  of  the  propriety  of  securing     . 
them,  against  the  day  of  triai^   that  friendly  and  efficient 
aid  which  this  institution  so  certainly  extends. 

There  is  still  another  feature  in  our  institution,  which 
is  worthy  of  a  passing  notice.  We  allude  to  its  influence 
upon  human  character  through  the  social  disposition  of 
man.  We  are  social  beings,  formed  for  converse,  and 
social  communion  with  our  fellow  creatures.  We  would 
not  be  alone,  but  instinctively  we  seek  the  society  of  our 
brethren  of  the  human  race  ;  and  to  these  associations,  i.i 
a  great  measure,  we  owe  the  formation  of  our  characters. 
We  hold  it  to  be  one  of  the  defects  of  our  social  system, 
that. we  are  too  much  engaged  in  a  desperate  rush  for  the 
"l^ves  and  fishes,''  and  too  little  inclined  to  cultivate 
our  social  faculties.  We  do  indeed  mingle  with  our  fel- 
low men,  but  it  is  in  the  bustle  and  confusion  of  business. 
Intent  upon  our  object,  we  hurry  past  each  other  in  the 
crowd,  with  a  nod  of  recognition,  or  meet  each  other  in 
the  sharp  contest  for  gain.  And  when  the  labor  of  the  day 
is  over,  we  sit  down  to  count  our  "cent  per  cent,"  and 
form  our  plans  for  the  morrow.  Possibly  we  may  spend  an 
hour  with^  few  select  friends  ;  but  they  are  men  of  sim- 
ilar pursuits,  or  similar  political  or  religious  opinion^,  and 
all  the  world  besides  is  to  us  as  heathens  and  barbarians. 
The  consequence  is  that  we  become  unsocial  in  our  feel- 
ings, and  bigots  to  a  creed,  or  slaves  to  a  party.  Who  is 
the  sour-hearted  bigot  and  partizan,  but  the'  man  who 
knows  nothing  of  the  world  but  what  he  has  learned  in 
communion  with  his  own  sect  or  his  own  party  ?  Who 
the  Ishmael,  whose  hand  is  against  every  man,  but  he 
that,  in  the  midst  of  a  thronged  world,  dwells  in  a  desert 
alone  ?  To  us  as  least,  it  appears  evident  that  there  is 
need  of  an  institution  that  will  bring  together  men  of  va- 
rious pursuits,  and  different  parties  and  sects,  and  give 
them  a  fellow  feeling  by  uniting  them  in  one  work,  thus 
laying  the  foundation  of  a  broader  feeling  of  charity,  a 
more  extended  chain  of  social  union. 

Such  is   the  InstitnM.on  of  which  we  are  speaking.    It 


8  PREFACE. 

brings  together  men  of  every  sect  and  party;  and  as  they 
mingle,  from  week  to  week,  the  rough  corners  of  preju- 
dice are  sure  to  be  battered  off— and  the  sharp  features  of 
hfird-faced  bigotry  to  be  smoothed  and  softened.  Men 
thus  learn  that  there  is  virtue  in  every  sect  and  in  every 
parly,  and  begin  to  indulge  more  far-reachings  and  expand- 
ed feelings  of  kindness  and  charity.  The  golden  chain  of 
friendship  is  lengthened  and  brightened,  the  social  facul- 
ties are  improved,  their  sphere  of  operation  enlarged,  and 
the  partition  walls  that  divide  sect  from  sect,  and  party 
from  party,  are  broken  down.  The  reason  is  obvious. — 
There  grows  up  naturally  between  men  who  commune 
frequently  with  each  other,  in  fiee  and  familiar,  but  yet 
in  dignified  association,  a  feeling  of  brotherhood — a  firmer 
friendship  than  can  exist  between  men  who  merely  jostle 
each  other  in  the  crowd,  or  in  the  confusion  of  business. 
If  charity  of  feeling,  and  broad  principles  of  good  will  to 
man,  are  worth  possessing,  it  should  always  be  remember- 
ed that  they  will  not  grow  up  spontaneously  in  the  clois- 
ter of  the  monk,  or  the  cell  of  the  recluse.  They  must 
proceed  from,  or  rather  be  drawn  out  by,  the  social  prin- 
ciple of  human  nature,  in  a  wide  sense.'  Furious  and  vin- 
dictive party  feelings  exist  alone  in  the  man  who  associ- 
ates with  kindred  spirits  of  his  ov<rn  party.  Narrow 
minded  and  dark  browed  religious  bigotry  scowls  most 
furiously  in  the  face  of  the  man  who  associates  only  with 
those  of  his  own  creed.  Let  the  one  and  the  other  come 
out  from  the  enclosure,  and  mingle  with  the  votaries  of 
other  parties,  and  they  will  soon  learn,  that  virtue  is  not 
confined  to  names;  and  their  bigotry  and  acrimony  will 
wear  away.  They  will  be  better  men,  and  better  chris- 
tians ;  for  they  will  im.bibe  more  of  that  first  and  greatest 
of  all  graces.  Charity,  that  "  chinketh  no  evil.''  Thus  it 
is  in  our  lodges.  There,  men  of  all  paities  and  of  various 
creeds  meet,  not  as  partisans,  but  as  friends  and  brothers, 
engaged  in  one  work,  bound  in  one  common  bond,  and 
they  learn  to  cherish  towards  one  another  more  kindly 
feelings  of  love  and  good-will.  Friendships  are  formed 
between  men  of  most  discordant  opinions,  and  many  are 
brought  together  who  would  otherwise  have  been  "distant 
from  each  other." 

Let  us  for  a  moment  glance  at  the  history  of  the  Order. 
A  little  more  than  twenty  years  ag-o,  and  the  name  of  our 
institution  was  unknown  in  America.    It  had  indeed  ex- 


PREFACE.  9 

isted  in  Europe  for  a  period  unknown  to  us  ;  but  on  this 
broad  continent  there  was  not  an  organized  body  of  Odd 
Fellows.  The  first  lodt;^,  organizf ',1  in  1819,  was  conapos- 
ed  of  fi-e  members,  in  the  hurnble  walks  of  life,  and  held 
its  meetings  in  the  upper  story  of  an  obscure  hotel  in  the 
city  of  Baltimore.  Like  another  and  far  better  institution, 
it  vvas  born  in  poverty,  cradled  in  a  manger,  and  like  tliat 
too,  its  subsequent  history  is  calculated  to  remind  us  of 
the  words  of  the  Holy  Man  of  old  when  he  says,  "  There 
shall  be  a  handful  of  corn  in  the  earth  upon  the  top  of  the 
mountain,  but  the  seed  thereof  shall  shake  like  Lebanon, 
and  they  of  the  city  shall  flourish  as  the  grass  of  the 
earth."  It  was  indeed  but  a  small  hamiful  of  com  in  the 
desolate  earth,  and  it  was  planted,  too,  ih  a  spot  apparent- 
ly as  unpropitious  as  the  bald  peaks  ot  the  snow-clad  and 
storm-beaten  mountains,  where  vegetation  withers  and 
dies.  But  it  sprang  up  fresh  and  green  in  the  sterile 
soil  where  it  had  been  planted.  Scarcely,  however,  had 
it  peered  above  the  earth  when  it  was  assailed  by  the 
storm.  It  was  denounced  as  a  secret  and  dangerous  insti- 
tution :  an  exotic  and  poisonous  plant,  that  ought  not  to 
infest  the  s*  of  our  country.  The  churches,  in  some  in- 
stances, denounced  it,  and  closed  their  doors  again.st  its 
members;  and  the  ministers  of  religion  branded  it  as  the 
enemy  of  virtue  and  happiness.  On  the  one  hand,  it 
met  the  slow  contempt  of  scorn's  unmoving  finger;  ard 
on  the  other,  the  open  hostility  of  the  well  meaning  but 
mistaken  philanthropist.  But  in  the  midst  of  this  war  of 
the  elements  it  stood,  drooping,  indeed,  and  scathed  by 
the  fury  of  the  storm,  but  with  its  root  firm  in  the  earth, 
and  prepared  to  shoot  upward  when  the  cloud  should 
move  away  and  the  sun  again  illumine  the  heavens^.  Thus 
it  continued  for  a  season,  struggling  for  a  precarious  exis- 
tence, in  the  midst  of  oppression  cruel  and  severe.  But 
the  stor.m  has  passed,  the  tempest  has  ceased  its  angry 
roar,  and  already  the  fields  are  white  and  ready  for  the 
harvest.  Like  the  nodding  plumes  of  the  tall  cedars  of 
Lebanon,  the  ripening  grain  bends  upon  the  parent  stock, 
and  those  who  "  sowed  in  sadness  are  returning  with  joy, 
bearing  their  sheaves  with  them,"  and  the  reapers  are 
shouting  the  harvest  home. 

How  mighty  the  contrast !  A  few  years  ago,  all  that 
felt  an  interest  in  this  institution  in  America  could  con- 
vene in  an  humble  garret  m  a  neighboring  city.     Butnovr 


10  fueface. 

it  stands  like  a  mighty  colossus,  and  plants  one  foot  upon 
the  extreme  north-western  boundary,  and  the  other  upon 
the  southernmost  point  of  our  vast  republic.  With  the 
one  hand  it  touches  the  very  shore  of  our  Atlantic  coast, 
and  with  the  other,  the  uttermost  regions  of  the  father  of 
our  rivers,  the  Mississippi;  and  all  abroad  in  this  wide 
region  of  liberty  and  virtue,  its  temples  are  rising,  and  dif- 
fusing their  benefactions  to  the  poor  and  distressed,  the 
widow  and  ihe  fatherless  who  wait  at  their  gates— not  as 
the  poor  beggar,  to  receive  the  crumbs  that  fall  from  the 
table,  but  as  welcome  guests,  to  enter  and  share  the  pro- 
Tisiotisof  a  plenteous  board. 

A  few  years  ago  and  we  were  poor,  and  our  means  for 
relieving  the  distressed  meagre  and  small.  Now,  though, 
not  rich  in  this  world's  goods,  yet  we  are  rich  in  the  most 
precious  of  all  treasures,  the  blessings  of  the  widow  and 
the  fatherless,  and  of  "him  that  was  ready  to  perish," 
which  are  daily  invoked  on  our  labors. 

Thousands  of  lisping  voices  rise  up  and  call  us  blessed  ; 
and  already  we  must  count  the  sums  devoted  to  their  re- 
lief, not  by  tens  and  fifties,  but  by  thousands  and  hundreds 
of  thousands.  A  few  years  ago,  the  name  ofcn  Odd  Fel- 
low was  held  as  a  bye-word  and  a  reproach,  and  there 
were  "few  so  poor  to  do  it  reverence."  The  opinion  pre- 
vailed that  it  was  a  mere  merry-making  affair,  got  up  for 
convivial  and  bacchanalian  purposes;  and  though  it  claim- 
ed the  title  of  a  humane  and  benevolent  institution,  it  was 
believed  that  this  claim  was  set  up  as  a  cloak  of  hypocri- 
sy, to  conceal  practices  which,  if  known,  would  meet  the 
severest  rf  prehension  of  a  virtuous  and  intelligent  people. 

But  may  it  not  be  well  to  pause  and  ask,  what  is  it  that 
has  wrought  the  mighty  change  we  have  been  contempla- 
ting ?  Is  it  the  iiiiluence  of  wealth?  Nay,  for  the  pioneers 
of  our  Order  were  blessed  with  but  a  moderate  share  of 
this  world's  goods.  Is  it  the  power  of  the  great  names 
that  have  been  enrolled  among  our  members?  No;  for 
untii^  recently  our  members  have  been  mostly  found  in 
the  humbler  walko  of  life,  with  but  little  influence  but  that 
which  their  own  probity  and  virtue  could  command. — 
Has  it  been  accompanied  by  flaming  appeals  to  the  pub- 
lic? by  st\idied  systems  of  pro'selyting.'' or  by  ostentatious 
displays  of  benevolence.^  No,  by  none  of  these  ;  for  our 
alms  have  been  given  in  secret,  our  efforts  to  gain  mem- 
bejs  still  and  srjiall,  and  our  appeals   to   the  public  few 


PREFACE.  11 

and  far  between.  And  yet  we  have  prospered  abundant- 
ly ;ancl  except  only  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  we  do  not 
believe  that  there  is  on  earth  an  institution  which,  from 
a  beginning  so  humble, ana  by  means  apparently  so  feeble, 
has  made  its  way  through  such  towering  opposition,  and 
risen  so  soon  to  strength  and  importance.  But  the  ex- 
planation is  simple  and  easy.  The  principles  of  our  in- 
stitution are  such  as  the  benevolent  ot  all  sects  and  par- 
ties must  approve.  Its  onlv  earthly  object  is  the  amelior- 
ation of  the  condition  of  suffering  humanity  :  and  we  have 
prospered  precisely  in  proportion  as  W(}  have  kept  cluse  to 
these  principles,  and  devoted  our  energies  to  the  promo- 
tion of  the  professed  and  legitimate  objects  of  our  associ- 
ation. Silently  and  unostentatiously,  but  steadily  and 
perseveringly,  have  we  labored  in  the  work  of  benevolence. 
The  sick  have  been  visited, and  the  dark  and  silent  watch- 
es of  the  night  have  found  our  members  by  the  bed  of 
the  feeble  sufferer,  soothing  his  feverish  brow  and  pre- 
senting the  cup  to  his  thirsty  lips.  They  have  closed  the 
eyes  of  the  dying;  and  when  death  has  done  its  work, 
they  have  born"  the  body  to  the  grave,  and  deposited  it 
in  the  narrow' !-oase  appointed  fur  all  the  living  They 
have  gone  back  to  the  house  that  was  left  desolate,  taken 
up  the  orphans,  and  ted,  and  educated,  and  trained  them 
lip  in  knowledge  and  virtue,  relieved  and  blessed  the  wid- 
ow in  the  loneliness  of  her  destitution. 

The  cold-hearted  and  the  misanthropic  rnay  look  cool- 
ly on.  The  proud  and  the  haughty  may  pass  by  on  the 
other  side,  and  leave  the  poor  traveller  naked,  and  wel- 
tering in  gore.  But  angels  will  bend  from  heaven,  and 
smile  upon  the  good  Samaritan,  who  stoops  to  bind  up  his 
wounds,  and  pour  the  healing  oil  upon  the  forsaken  sufft^r- 
er  ;  aye,  and  God  himself  will  write  the  deed  in  the  book 
of  remembrance,  and  bless  and  prosper  him  that  had  com- 
passion on  his  suffering  feilovv  mortal.  Whether  these 
works  are  done  by  the  Churchman  or  the  Odd  Fellow, 
is  of  little  consequence.  They  are  works  that  Heaven 
will  own  and  bless. 

Let  our  institution  continue  on  in  these  labors  of  love, 
and  our  past  success,  extraordinary  as  it  has  been,  shall 
be  but  the  beainning  of  prosperity.  The  rejoicings  of 
this  day  shall  be  but  the  first  note  in  a  song  ot  triumph, 
that  sh?.ll  echo  from  year  to  year,  and  be  borne  onward 
from  generation  to  generation,  till  its   full  chorus  shall 


12  PREFACE. 

mingle  in  liarmony  with  the  songs  of  the  blessed,  in  that 
day  when  the  last  tear  shall  fall  from  the  eye  of  weeping 
humanity,  and  the  last  sigh  of  anguish  escape  from  the 
sainted  heart  of  acteature  of  God. 


CONSTITUTION. 


PREAMBLE. 


For  the  purpose  of  effecting  as  miicli  uniformity 
as  possible  in  the  administration  of  the  privileges, 
honors,  and  benefits  of  the  Order,  within  this  juris- 
diction, The  Grajjd  Lodge  of  Massachusetts 
State,  (the  supreme  tribunal  of  Odd  Fellowship 
within  its  limits — without  whose  sanction  and  con- 
trol no  Lodge  can  exist,)  ordains  the  following 
Articles  as  the  Co>:stitutiox  of  the  subordinate 
Lodges. 

ARTICLE    I. 

This  Lodge  shall  be  constituted  by  at  least  jive 
members,  including  one  qualified  to  preside  at  its 
meetings,  and  shall  be  hailed  and  entitled  "IIoosack 
Valley  Lodge,  No.  129,  L  O.  of  O.  F.,"  and  shall 
possess  the  full  powers  and  privileges  of  a  Subordi- 
nate Lodge,  holding  a  legal,  unreclaimed,  and  vahd 
charter,  duly  granted  and  formally  presented  by  the 
Grand  Lodtre  of  Massachusetts  State. 


14  CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF    MEMBERSHIP. 

First  Section. — Admissions,  Sfc. 

Clause  1st.  The  candidate  shall  be  a  believer  in 
a  Supreme  Beinsj,  Creator,  Preserver  and  Governor 
of  all  things.  He  shall  not  be  under  twenty -one 
years  of  age,  (except  the  son  of  an  Odd  Fellow, 
who  may  be  admitted  at  twenty.)  He  shall  be  a 
man  of  good  moral  character,  and  industrious  habits, 
having  some  respectable  known  means  of  support, 
and  exempt  from  all  infirmities  which  may  prevent 
his  gaining  a  livelihood. 

Clause  2d.  The  name  of  a  person  offered  for 
initiation,  must  be  proposed  by  a  member,  in  wri- 
ting, stating  his  age,  residence  and  business,  with 
good  reference,  which  must  be  entered  on  the  rec- 
ord, and  the  subject  referred  to  the  Committee  for 
Investigation,  who  shall  report  at  the  succeeding 
regular  meeting,  when  the  candidate  may  be  bal- 
lotted  for,  with  ball  ballots  ;  and  if  not  more  than 
two  black  balls  appear  against  him,  he  shall  be 
elected ;  but  if  three  or  more  appear,  he  shall  be 
elected  and  so  declared.  But  should  objections  be 
made  to  any  person  after  his  election,  and  previous 
to  initiation,  the  Lodge  may  rescind  the  vote  by 
which  said  candidate  was  elected. 

Clause  3d.  A  brother  of  the  Order  wishing  to 
become  a  member,  shall  present  his  card  from  the 
Lodge  of  which  he  was  formerly  a  member,  which 
shall  be  referred  to  tile  Committee  of  Investigation, 
and  in  other  respects  disposed  of  as  provided  by 
Clause  2d  for  other  applicants ;  and,  on  being  ad- 
mitted, shall  pay  a  sum  of  not  less  than  two  dollars. 

Clause ith.    An  ancient  Odd  Fellow,  whose  card 


CONSTITUTION.  15 

is  ont  of  date,  or  which  may  have  been  lost,  can  be 
admitted  by  referring  his  appHcation  to  the  Investi- 
gating Committee  and  disposing  of  it  in  other  re- 
spects as  is  provided  for  other  apphcantsinthe  fore- 
going clauses,  and  on  his  paying  into  the  Lodge 
fund  a  sum  not  less  than  two  dollars. 

Clause  bill.  When  a  candidate  has  been  rejected 
for  immoral  conduct  or  impaired  health,  duly  speci- 
fied notice  thereof  shall  be  sent  without  delay^^o  all 
the  Lodges  in  the  State,  and  no  person  so  rejected 
shall  be  again  balloted  for  in  any  Lodge,  for  the 
epace  of  six  months. 

Clause  6th.  No  person  residing  in  a  town  where 
a  Lodge  or  Lodges  exist,  shall  be  received  into  this 
Lodge  without  a  letter  of  recommendation  from  a 
Lodge  in  the  town  where  he  resides. 

Second  Section. — Contributions  and  Benefits. 

Clause  1st.  Every  honafide  member,  who  shall 
be  qualified  as  required  by  the  By-Laws,  shall,  in 
case  of  sickness  or  disabilit}^  be  entitled  to  and  re- 
ceive such  weekly  benefit  as  may  be  fixed  by  law, 
from  the  funds  of  the  Lodge. 

Clause  2d.  in  case  of  the  death  of  a  brother 
who  shall  be  qualified  as  provided  in  Clause  2d, 
there  shall  be  allowed  from  the  Lodge  a  sum  not 
less,  than  thirty  dollars,  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
burial;  which  shall  be  paid  over  without  delay  to 
the  deceased  brother's  nearest  of  kin.  The  N.  G., 
in  the  absence  of  competent  relations,  shall  take 
charge  of  the  funeral  and  receive  an  account  of  the 
disbursements. 

Clause  3d.  On  the  demise  of  the  wife  of  a  bro- 
ther qualified  as  provided  by  Clause  2d,  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  a  sum  of  not  less  than  fifteen  dollars, 
for  the  purpose  of  assisting  in  the  funeral  expenses. 


16  CONSTITUTION. 

Third  Section. — Penalties  and  Trial. 

Clause  1st.     Any  member  who  shall  violate  any 
of  the  principles  of  the  Order,  or  offend   against     -^ 
these  Articles  or  the  By-Laws,  shall  be  subject  to 
be  fined,  reprimanded,  suspended,   or  expelled,  as 
the  By-Laws  may  direct,  or  the  Lodge  determine.         * 

Clause  2d.  Every  member  shall  be  entitled  to  a 
fair  trial  for  any  otlence  involving  reprimand,  sus- 
pension, or  expulsion  ;  but  no  member  of  this  Lodge 
shall  be  put  on  trial,  unless  charges  duly  specif^ang 
his  offence  be  submitted  to  the  Lodge  in  writing, 
by  brothers  of  the  Order ;  except  when  made  liable 
by  non-payment  to  the  Lodge. 

Clause  3d.  When  charges  have  been  preferred 
against  a  brother,  in  proper  manner,  or  an}^  fnatters 
of  grievance  between  brothers  be  brought  before 
the  Lodge,  they  shall  be  referred  to  a  special  com- 
mittee of  five  members,  who  shall,  if  possible,  be 
chosen  from  among  the  peers  of  the  implicated 
brother :  and  they  shall,  with  as  little  delay  as  the 
case  will  admit,  summon  the  parties,  and  examine 
and  determine  the  matter  in  question  ;  and,  if  not 
involving  the  expulsion  or  suspension  of  a  member, 
or  no  appeal  be  taken  from  that  decision  to  the 
Lodge,  it  shall  be  final  without  further  action  from 
the  Lodge.  Should  the  committee  be  convinced  of 
the  necessity  of  suspending  or  expelling  a  member, 
they  shall  submit  a  motion  for  the  purpose  to  the 
Lodge  for  action. 

Ctause  4th.  When  a  motion  for  the  expulsion 
or  suspension  of  a  brother  shall  have  been  submitted 
in  due  form,  it  shall  be  announced  at  two  regular 
meetings  previous  to  action  being  taken,  and  the 
accused  shall  be  summoned  to  be  m  attendance  at 
the  Lodge  at  the  time  when  it  may  have  been  de- 


CONSTITUTIO:*.  17 

termined  to  consider  the  fjuestion;  at  which  time, 
whether  the  irnpUcated  brother  bs  present  or  not, 
the  Lodj^e  may  proceed  to  consider  and  determine 
it ;  t\v*)-third.s  of  the  m3rnber.s  present  voting  in  fa- 
vor of  the  jnolion,  it  rihall  be  carried  ;  and  the  Lodge 
shall  be  fully  competent,  while  such  motion  is  un- 
der consideration,  to  vary  the  penalty  from  the  orig- 
inal motion. 

Clause  bth.  Wli«n.the  decision  of  a  committee 
appointe:!  under  Clause  31  shall  not  be  satisfactory 
to  all  parties,  either  of  those  interested  shall  have 
the  privilege  of  oppeal  to  the  Lodge  ;  and,  at  the 
time  appointe  I  f.)r  trying  the  appeal,  the  committee 
shall  present  to  the  L-j;rge,  in  writing,  the  grounds 
on  which  their  decision  was  founded,  and  the  par- 
ties shall  have  the  privilege  of  being  heard  betore 
the  Lodge;  and  the  Lodge  shall  determine  the  cor- 
rectness of  the  decision  of  the  committee  by  a  ma- 
jority of  votes  present. 

clause  6tk.  Any  brother  feeling  aggrieved  bv 
the  decision  of  the  "Lodge  a2;ainst  him,  is  entitled  to 
an  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lotlge  for  a  new  trial,  if  in- 
forma-ity  or  want  of  fairness  be  '-hov%-n  on  the  for- 
mer trial,  and  on  the  command  uf  the  Grand  Lodge 
the  brother  may  be  tried  an^w  for  the  same  oftencf . 

Clause  liJi.  Any  brother  having  been  suspended 
or  expylled,  notice  thereof  shall  be  sent  to  all  the 
Lodges  in  the  State  ;  at;  1  a  brother  who  has  hi-en 
legally  expelled,  shall  not  be  again  admitted  to 
membership   without    the    consent    of  the   Grand 

ARTICLE    IIL 

OFFiCKRS. 

Jursi  Section. — Elective  and  Appointed  OJir^r,^. 
Clause  1st.     The  Elective  Oiiicers  of  the  Lodge 


18  CONSTITUTION. 

consist  of  N.  G.,  V.  G.,  Secretary,  and  Treasurer, 
who  shall  serve  a  regular  term  each.  However, 
when  deemed  necessary  the  Lodge  ma}'  elect  a  Per- 
manent [Secretary  in  addition,  to  serve  twelve 
months. 

Clause  2d.  The  appointed  Officers  shall  consist 
of  a  W.,  C,  O.  G.,  I.  G.,  R.  H.  S.  N.  G.,  L.  H. 
S.  N.  G.,  R.  H.  S.  V.  G.,  L.  H.  S.  V.  G.,  and  R. 
and  L.  H.  S.  S.,  who  shall  serve  a  re^iilar  term 
each  ;  and  the  N.  G.  may  appoint,  at  his  option,  a 
Chaplain  or  Chaplains,  for  a  similar  term. 
Second  Section. — Duties  of  Officers. 

Clause  1st.  The  duties  of  the  various  officers 
shall  l<e  as  laid  down  in  the  charges  of  their  office, 
and  as  s]iecified  by  these  Articles  and  the  By-Laws 
of  the  Lodge. 

Clause  2d.  A  Permanent  Secretary,  when  one 
has  been  chosen  by  the  Lodge,  shall  take  charge  of 
the  accounts  between  the  Lodge  and  its  members  ; 
but  the  Secretary  shall  record  the  proceedings  and 
perform  all  other  duties  of  the  office. 

Third  Section. — Elections,  S^'c. 

Clause  1st.  No  brother  shall  be  ehgible  to  the 
chair  of  the  N.  G.  unless  he  has  served  a  regular 
term  as  V.  G.  Nor  shall  any  brother  be  eligible  as 
V.  G.  unless  he  has  served  two  terms  in  some  inferior 
office. 

Clause  2d.  All  Elective  Officers  and  the  W. 
and  the  O.  G.  and  L  G.,  shall  have  attained  to  the 
Scarlet  degree  previous  to  installation. 

Clause  3d.  Nominations  for  the  Elective  Offi- 
cers shall  be  made  only  on  the  two  meetings  imme- 
diately {^receding  that  of  the  elections,  except  when 
all  the  nominees  for  an  office  decline. 

Clause  4Lth.     No  past  officer  shall  be  eligible  to 


CONSTITUTION.  19 

the  office  pa^t,  when  other  nominations  are  before 
the  L  ^ci^e,  unles--  hf>  has  been  one  full  term  out  of 
such  office,  except  the  Treasurer  and  Permanent 
Secretary. 

Clause  5th.  Officers  shall  be  elected  at  the  last 
regular  meeting  in  each  term  and  shall  be  installed 
at  the  first  meeting  in  the  succeeding  one. 

Clause  6th.  Any  officer  absenting  himself  for 
more  than  three  successive  meetings,  his  seat  may 
be  declared  vacant  by  a  vote  of  the  Lodge.  And 
all  vacancies  shall  be  filled  in  the  manner  of  the  for- 
mer selection,  to  serve  the  residue  of  the  term  ; 
and  officers  so  serving,  shall  be  entitled  to  the  full 
honors  of  the  term. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

TERMS  AND  RETURNS. 

First  Section. —  Terms. 
The  regular  quarterly  terms  shall  commence  on 
the  first  Tuesdays  of  January,  April,  July  and  Oc- 
tober. The  regular  semi-annual  term  shall  com- 
mence on  the  first  Tues<lays  in  January  and  July, 
only — and  all  terms  shall  end  on  the  day  on  which 
the  succeeding  ones  commence. 

.  Second  Section. — Returns. 
Clause  1st.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  last  past 
officers  to  prepare  and  forward  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
immediately,  the  result  of  the  elections,  and  regular 
report  of  the  work  of  the  term,  including  the  names 
of  those  initiated,  admitted  by  card,  rejected,  with- 
drawn by  card,  suspended  or  expelled,  and  the 
cause  thereof,  reinstated  and  deceased ;  together 
with  the  number  degrees  conferred;  the  whole 
number  in  membership;  the  amoimt  of  receipts; 
and  the  result  of  the  election  of  Officers,  accompa- 


20  CONSTITUTION. 

nied  by  whatever  amount  due  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 
Clause  '2d.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Lodge 
also  to  forward  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  like  manner, 
up  to  the  first  day  of  July,  annually,  a  full  return 
of  the  members  of  the  Lodge,  ranked  according  to 
the  degrees  attained,  and  a  statement  of  the  nvimber 
of  brothers  relieved  by  the  Lodge  in  the  past  year, 
the  number  of  widowed  famihes  relieved,  the  num- 
ber of  brothers  buried,  with  the  amount  of  money 
apphed  to  each  of  these  purposes,  designating  the 
amount  paid  for  the  education  of  orphans. 

Third  Section. — Forfeiture  of  Charter. 
Should  this  Lodge  fail  to  make  its  returns  as  re- 
quired by  the  second  section  of  this  article,  for  four 
successive  terms,  it  shall  thereby  forfeit  its  Charter 
and  become  extinct  ;  and  it  shall  become  the  duty 
of  the  last  installed  officers  to  transmit  or  surrender 
to  the  Grand  Secretary  (or  such  other  brother  as 
may  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Lodge  to  receive 
them,)  the  charter,  books,  papers,  furniture,  and  iho 
funds  of  the  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  V. 

DEGREES. 

First  Section. — Eligihilily  for  Degrees. 
Brothers  who  have  been  in  membership  one 
month,  shall  be  eligible  for  degrees;  but  not  more 
than  three  degrees  shall  be  conferred  on  a  brother  at 
the  same  meeting,  unless  the  most  urgent  necessity 
be  proven. 

Second  Section. — Rates  of  Degrees. 
No  degree  shall  be  conferred  until  after  the  candi- 
date has  paid  the  amount  required  therefor,  and  no 


CONSTITUTION.  21 

person  shall  be  initiated  and  receive  his  degrees  for 
a  less  sum  than  twenty  dollars.  - 

ARTICLE    VI. 

AMENDMENT,    &C. 

First  Section. — Amendment. 

Clause  1st.  When  doubts  arise  of  the  true  mean- 
ing of  any  part  of  these  articles,  it  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Clause  2cl.  These  Articles,  or  any  part  thereof, 
shall  not  be  altered,  amended,  suspended,  or  annul- 
led, except  on  motion  made  in  Grand  Lodge,  at  a 
regular  quarterly  meeting,  (notice  of  which  motion 
shall  be  immediately  transmitted  to  the  Subordinate 
Lodges,)  and  adopted  by  the  Representatives  of  a 
majority  uf  said  Lodges  present  at  its  annual  session. 

Second  Section. — By-Laivs. 
This  Lod2:e  shall  stand  fullv  invested  with  power 
to  adopt  such  By-Laws  and  Resolutions  from  time 
to  time,  us  may  be  deemed  expedient,  provided  they 
do  not  in  any  wise  contravene  any  part  of  these 
Articles,  the  Laws  and  Constitution  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  or  the  princii)les  of  the  Order. 


BY-LAWS 

OP 

HOOSACK  VALLEY  LODGE, 

Number   129. 


ARTICLE   I. 

or   MEETINGS. 


Section  1.  This  Lodge  shall  assemble  on  Tues- 
day evening  of  each  week,  for  the  transaction  of 
general  business.  Special  meetings  shall  be  called 
by  the  N.  G.  at  discretion,  or  on  the  written  request 
of  any  five  members.  The  hour  of  meeting  shall 
be,  from  the  first  Tuesday  of  October  to  the  first 
Tuesday  of  April,  at  7  o'clock,  and  from  the  first 
Tuesday  of  April  to  the  first  Tuesday  of  Oc- 
tober, at  8  o'clock.  The  Lodge  shall  be  opened  at 
the  appointed  time,  and  in  the  absence  of  the  N.  G. 
and  V.  G.,  a  P.  G.  of  the  Lodge  shall  take  the  chair. 

Section  2.  At  a  regular  meeting  of  this  Lodge, 
five  ftiembers  shall  constitute  a  quorum,  and  be  qual- 
ified to  transact  any  business  of  the  Lodge  which 
may  be  brought  before  them. 

Section  3.  No  brother  shall  enter  the  Lodge 
unless  clothed  in  regalia. 


BY-LAWS.  23 

ARTICLE  II. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.  When  a  proposition  for  membership 
shall  be  made,  the  same  shall  not  be  withdrawn  ex- 
cept on  the  recommendation  of  the  Investigating 
Committee;  and  no  proposition  shall  be  considered 
by  the  Investigating  Committee  unless  on  a  written 
application,  signed  by  the  person  wishing  to  become 
a  memfjer,  enclosing  one  dollar,  which  is  to  be  re- 
turned in  case  of  rejection,  otherwise  to  be  applied 
to  the  Contingent  Fund:  and  the  candidates  propos- 
ed b}'  the  Committee  shall  be  ballotted  for,  and  no 
reconsideration  of  a  ballot  shall  be  had,  except  as 
provided  for  in  the  Constitution. 

Section  2.  In  balloting  for  members,  the  ballot- 
box  shall  be  placed  in  full  view  of  the  N.  G.,and  the 
ballot  shall  be  examined  by  the  N.  G.,  and  his  R. 
and  L.  S. 

Section  3.  Every  member,  on  being  admitted, 
shall  sign  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  of  the 
Lodge,  thereby  agreeing  to  support  the  same,  and 
pay  all  leiral  demands  against  him.  He  shall  in- 
form the  Secretary  of  his  place  of  residence,  and  in 
case  of  changing  it,  shall  notify  him  thereof  within 
three  weeks. 

Section  4.  When  a  member  desires  to  withdraw 
from  the  Lodge,  he  shall  signify  his  wish  to  do  so, 
at  a  regular  meeting,  and  if  no  objection  be  made,  he 
shall  be  entitled  to  a  card  of  clearance,  on  paying  up 
all  dues  that  may  be  against  him  on  the  Lodge  books, 
and  an  additional  twenty-five  cents  for  his  card  : 
and  if  any  brother  desire  a  visiting  card,  he  shall 
be  entitled  to  the  same,  on  paying  up  his  dues  to 
the  end  of  the  time  for  which  it  may  be  given,  and 
an  additional  twentv-tive  cents  for  his  card. 


i 


^4  BY-LAWS. 

'^Section  5.  Each  person  initiated  into  this  Lo/lpc 
shall  pay  the  sum  of  ten  dollars ;  except  hi  sue  h 
i:ases  as  are  specially  jjrovided  for  by  the  Gtaud 
Lodge  of  the  State. 

-  SectioJi  6.  Brothers  admitted  to  membership  by 
deposit  of  card  from  any  other  Lodge,  shall  pay 
three  dollars. 

Section  7.  Brothers  admitted  to  membership  in 
this  Lodge  as  ancient  Odd  Fehows,  shall  pay  five 
dollars. 

Section  8.  Every  member  of  this  Lodge  shall 
pay  to  the  general  fund  of  the  Lodge  seventy-five 
cents  per  (juarter,  in  advance  ;  and  no  brother  shall 
be  exempt  or  excused  fiom  paying. 

Section  9.  Every  member  who  shall  refuse  or 
xieglect  to  pay  his  dues  and  arrears  to  the  Lodge  for 
the  space  of  six  months,  shall  be  notified  therecjf  by 
the  Permanent  Secretary,  if  practicable,  and  if  after 
rbur  weeks,  his  account  remains  unsettled,  he  shall 
be  suspended  during  the  pleasure  of  the  Lodge  ;  and 
on  re-instatement  shall  \,a.\  the  amount  standing 
«igainst  him  at  the  time  of  his  suspension,  together 
vv'ith  the  whole  sum  to  which  he  would  have  been 
subject  had  he  not  been  suspended. 

Section  10.  No  person  shall  receive  tlie  Quarter- 
ly Pass  Word  until  he  presents  a  certificate  from 
the  Secretar}',  that  he  has  paid  his  dues  for  tht* 
quarter. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF    OFFICERS    AND    THEIR    DUTIES. 

'Section  1,  The  elective  ofTicers  of  this  Lodge 
shall  consist  of  those  enumerated  in  Clause  1st,  Sec- 
tion 1st,  Article  J II.,  of  the  Constitution,  including 
a  Permanent  Secretary. 

Section  '2.     The  aj^pointed  ofBcers  shall  consist 


BY-LAWS.  26 

of  those  mentioned  in  Clause  2;1,  Section  1st,  Arti- 
cle 1 1 1.,  of  the  Coivsiitution,  anJ  shall  be  afjpointeil 
by  the  N.  G.  irnnioJiately  after  his  in>taliurion,  ex- 
cept the  R.  and  L.  S.  of  the  V.  G.,  who  shall  be 
apj)oinred  by  the    V.  G. 

Section  3.  All  offi'^-rs  must  he  clear  of  the  books 
of  the  Lodge  at  the  time  of  th>>ir  installation. 

Section  4.  When  any  member  of  any  commit- 
tee fails  to  dischar:;'e  his  duties  to  the  sarisfactioii  of 
the  Lod:^e,  he  may  be  dismissed  from  his  office; 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present  votin.;  in  fivur  of 
the  motion,  one  weelt  alter  a  res)lution  to  i-iat  ellect 
h^s  been  offered.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  of- 
ficer and  meanber  of  any  commirtee,  to  give  and  sur- 
render to  the  N.  G.  ail  property  in  his  hands,  be- 
loniring  to  the  Lodge,  whenever  he,  at  the  request 
of  two-thirds  of  the  Lodge  present,  may  demand 
tlietn. 

Srdion  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  N.  G.  to 
preside  in  \\\^  Lodo:c,  and  enforce  a  due  observance 
of  the  Coiistirution  and  Laws,  and  a  proper  respect 
for  the  authority' of  the  Grand  Lodize  of  the  State  of 
Massachusetts  ;  to  call  a  roll  of  the  officers,  or  have 
it  called,  iinraediately  after  the  Lodge  is  opened ; 
to  see  that  all  officers  of  the  Lodge  and  mt^mbers 
of  committees  perform  their  respective  duties,  as 
enjoined  by  the  several  charges  and  these  Laws  ; 
to  appoint  all  officers  and  committees,  not  other- 
wise provided  for  ;  to  give  the  casting  v:>te  only, 
on  all  matters  or  questions  before  the  Lodge  :  to  in- 
spect and  announce  the  result  of  all  ballotings  or 
other  votes  l)y  the  Lodge  ;  to  have  charge  of  the 
charter,  which  he  must  always  have  in  ihe  Lodge 
while  in  session  ;  to  draw  upon  the  Treasurer  for 
all  sums  that  have  been  voted  by  the  Lodge,  or  that 
may  be  necessary  to  pay  the  beueiics  provided  for 


26  BY-LAWS. 

by  these  laws,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  ap- 
pertain to  his  office  by  ancient  usage  and  custom  ; 
he  shall  not  make  or  second  any  motion,  neither 
shall  he  take  part  in  any  debate  while  in  the  chair. 

Section  6.  The  V.  G.  shall  assist  the  N.  G.  in 
presiding  in  the  Lodge,  he  shall  appoint  his  own 
supporters,  and  a  minority  of"  all  committees  for  the 
investigation  of  character  ;  and  have  special  charge 
of  the  door,  under  the  N.  G.  In  case  of  the  absence 
of  the  N.  G.,  he  shall  preside,  and  performall  other 
duties  required  by  the  charges  and  usac:;es  of  the 
Order. 

Section  7.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  an  accu- 
rate record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Lodge  ;  he 
shall  write  all  communications,  fill  up  all  certificates 
and  cards  granted  by  the  Lodge  ;  issue  all  sum- 
monses or  notices  required,  attest  to  all  moneys  ot- 
dered  paid  at  regular  meetings  and  none  other ;  he 
shall  ha  v^e  and  safely  keep  the  seal  of  the  Lodge; 
and  perform  such  other  duties  appertaining  to  his 
ofnce  as  may  be  required  of  him  by  the  Lodge, 
and  his  charge  ;  also  have  his  books  written  up  for 
the  Finance  Committee,  prior  to  the  commence- 
ment of  the  new  term  ;  and  deliver  up  to  his  suc- 
cessor all  books,  papers  or  other  properties  belonging 
to  his  office  ;  and  in  consideration  of  his  services,he 
shall  receive  an  amount  equivalent  to  his  dues. 

Siction  8.  A  Permanent  Secretary  shall  br  elect- 
ed annually  at  the  last  regular  meeting  in  Decem- 
ber, whose  duty  it  shall  be  tokeej)just  and  irue  ac- 
counts between  the  Lodge  and  its  members,  receive 
all  moneys  due  the  Lodge,  and  immediately  pa\'the 
same  over  to  the  Treasurer,  taking  his  receipt  there- 
for. He  shall,  four  weeks  after  the  expiration  of 
each  quarter,  notify  every  member  who  is  in  ar- 
rears, of  the  amount  due  from   him  to   the   Lodge, 


BY-LAWS.  27 

adding  twelve  and  a  half  cents  for  the  notice.  He 
shall  close  the  accounts  of  the  members  at  the  end 
of  each  quarter  ;  and  make  out,  at  the  end  of  each 
term,  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  a  full  return  of  the  con- 
dition of  this  Lodge.  He  shall  procure  all  station- 
ery for  the  use  of  the  Lodge,  and  at  the  end  of  each 
term  make  out  for  the  Lodge  a  statement  of  all  mo- 
nies received,  and  paid  by  him  to  the  Treasurer,  and 
deliver  up  to  his  successor  in  otSce,  or  to  any  com- 
mittee whom  the  Lodge  ma}-  specially  appoint,  all 
books,  papers,  or  other  property  belonging  to  his 
office  and  the  Lodge. 

Section  9.  The  Treasurer,  prior  to  his  installa- 
tion in  office,  shall  give  a  joint  and  several  bond  to 
the  N.  G.  and  V.  G.,  with  two  sureties  to  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Lodge,  with  such  penalties  and  con- 
ditions, as  from  time  to  time  may  be  prescribed  by 
the  Lodge.  His  duties  shall  be  to  receive  all  mo- 
nies of  the  Lodge,  and  pay  to  the  Trustees  all  sums 
over  and  above  one  hundred  and  fift}^  dollars,  taking 
their  receipt  for  the  same  ;  to  pay  all  orders  on  him 
by  the  N.  G.,  and  if  not  for  benefits  provided  for  by 
these  B^'-Laws,  attested  by  the  Secretary,  and 
none  others  ;  to  keep  a  fall  and  correct  account  of 
all  monies  received  and  expended  ;  to  give  the 
Lodge  a  monthly  statement  of  its  funds  ;  to  furnish 
the  Lodge,  at  the  last  meeting  in  the  term,  with  a 
full  report  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the 
term,  with  vouchers ;  and  to  have  his  botjks  writ- 
ten up  f)r  the  Finance  Committee,  prior  to  the 
commencement  of  the  new  term;  and  to  deliver  up, 
when  legally  called  upon,  alimonies,  bonds,  papers, 
books,  (See,  belonging  to  the  Lodge,  to  his  successor 
in  office,  or  to  whom  the  Lodge  may  specially  ap- 
point. 


28 


.r^^:^ 


-^•^':^ 


Section  10.     The  Wartlon  shall    take  charge   of 

e  ])roj»ercies  of  tlie  L()(1<;e,  and  shall  report  any 
damage  dene  to  them  to  ilie  N.  G.,  and.  %vith  the 
assistance  of  the  keeper,  shall  place  the  regalia  for 
the  use  of  the  inemhers  ar  the  ()j>eniMg  of  the 
L;>dge,  and  at  its  close  he  shall  collect  and  preserve 
it  in  a  careful  way;  he  shall  canvass  all  votes  on 
motions  and  resolutions,  when  required  so  to  do; 
and  he  shall  be  the  messenger  of  the  Lodge.  The 
Warden  (or,  in  his  absence,  the  Conductor.)  shall 
welcome  and  receive  a  visiting  brother,  and  shall 
introduce  him  to  some  brother  of  this  Lodge,  of 
the  same  rank  with  himself,  whose  duty  it  shall 
be  to  show  jiarticular  attention  to  such  visiter  during 
the  evening,  and  to  make  incjuiry  if  it  is  in  the  pow- 
er of  the  Lodge,  or-anv  member  thereof,  to  contri- 
bute to  his  comtort  or  interest  during  his  stay  in  this 
place,  and  perform  such  either  duties  as  are  prescrib- 
ed in  the  charge  of  his  office. 

iSectioji  11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Jun.  P. 
G.  present  of  this  Lodge,  to  act  in  the  capacity  of 
P.  G.,  and  deliver  the  charge  of  the  office  to  candi- 
dates, and  perform  all  other  duties  aj!])erraining  to 
the  office. 

Section  12.  A  Chaj)lain  may  be  appointed  by 
the  N.  G.,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  open  and  close 
all  regular  meetings  with  jirayer,  and  conduct  such 
other  devoliunal  exercises  as  may  be  deemed  ex- 
pedient. 

Section  1.3.  All  other  officers  shall  perform  such 
duties  as  are  prescribed  for  them  by  the  regulations 
and  charges  uf  their  offices. 

ARTICLE  I  y. 

STANDIKU  A>'D  SPECIAL  COMMITTEES. 

Section  1.     The  N.  G.   shall,   immediately  upon 


BT-LAWS.  29 

his  installation,  appoint  (subject  to  the  approbation 
of  the  L()(l2;e)  the  t'ollowini!:  Standing  Cummittpes. 
to  serve  one  quarter,  viz:  Committee^  of  Visitation, 
Finance,  and  C/orre;?p()ndence. 

Section  2.  The  Visiting  Committee  shall  consist 
of  the  N.  G..  V.  G.,  T.,  and  four  ajipointed  mem- 
bers, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  visit  brothers  repor- 
ted sick,  witliin  twenty-four  hours  after  receiving 
information  of  the  same,  and  continue  to  render 
them,  during  their  sickness,  such  assistance  as  the 
By-Laws  provide  ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
N.  G.  so  to  arrange  as  that  sick  brothers  shall  be 
visited  at  least  once  a  day  during  their  illness  ;  and 
he  shall  have  a  correct  roll  of  the  members  of  the 
Lodge,  for  the  use  of  the  Visiting  Committee  ;  and 
if  need  be,  and  the  circumstances  recjuire  it,  the 
Visiting  Committee  shall  notiiy  three  of  the  mem- 
bers in  rotation,  as  they  stand  on  the  roll,  to  attend 
each  sick  member  during  the  night,  and  to  ad- 
minister such  assistance  as  may  be  in  their  power. 
Provided  always,  that  the  disease  is  nut  contagious, 
infectious,  or  dangerous  to  others  ;  in  which  case, 
the  Committee  shall,  if  necessary,  employ  a  nurse, 
to  be  paid  from  the  funds  of  the  Lodge. 

Secti'jn  3.  The  Committee  of  Finance  shall  con- 
sist of  three  members.  It  shall  be  their  duty  to  su- 
perintend the  tinancial  concerns  of  the  Lodge,  to 
inspect  and  audit  quarterly  the  accounts  of  the 
Permanent  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  or  other  offi- 
cers or  committees  charged  with  the  receipt  or  ex- 
penditure of  monies  of  tlie  Lodge;  and  they  mhall 
be  authorized  to  examine  tlio  books  and  accounts 
of  any  officer  ox.  membc;  of  a  committee  of  th© 
Lodge,  whenever  they  think  proper,  and  to  report 
as  speedily  as  possible,  on  all  maiterH  they  muj 
have  in  hand. 


30  BY-LAWS. 

Section  4.  The  Committee  of  Correspondence 
shall  consist  of  three  members.  It  shall  be  their  du- 
ty to  take  into  consideration  ^uch  communications 
as  shall  be  referred  to  them,  and  report  thereon  to 
the  Lodge. 

Scciion  5.  An  Investigating  Committee  shall  be 
appointed  weekly,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  first  to 
examine  the  black  book,  and  then  carefully  ascertain 
the  candidate's  age,  health,  profession  and  general 
character,  and  make  a  faithful  report  to  the  Lodge  at 
its  next  meeting. 

Seciioit  6.  If  a  vacancy  occur  in  any  appointed 
office  or  committee,  the  same  shall  be  filled  at  the 
next  iuccting  of  the  Lodge. 

ARTICLE    V. 

TRUSTEES. 

Section  1.  At  the  last  regular  meeting  in  July, 
annually,  there  shall  be  elected,  by  a  plurality  of 
votes,  three  members  of  this  Lodge,  who  shall  be 
denominated  Trustees  of  the  funds  and  investments 
of  Hoosack  Valley  Lodge,  No.  129,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  hold  in  trust  for  this  Lodge, 
all  stocks,  securities,  investments,  properties  and 
funds;  and  to  transfer,  exchange  or  deposit  the  same, 
or  any  part  thereof,  whenever  required  under  these 
Laws  so  to  do.  The  said  Trustees  shall  deposit 
or  invest,  at  the  end  of  each  month,  all  monies  in 
their  hands,  in  such  Bank,  Trust  Company  or  Sav- 
ings Institution,  for  such  security  as  the  Lodge  may 
direct,  in  the  name  of  "  A,  B,  and  C,  Trustees  of 
Hoosack  Valley  Lodge,  No.  129,  I.O.  of  O.F  ;''  and 
such  funds  shall  not  be  drawn  out,  unless  their  draft 
is  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  Trustees,  and  the  seal 
of  the  Lodge  affixed ;  and  no  amount  shall  be 
drawn,  nor  the  securities  changed,  without  the  con- 


BY-LAWS.  r  31 

sent  of  the  Lodge,  by  a  two-third  vote  at  a  regular 
meeting. 

Section  2.  The  said  Trustees,  previous  to  en- 
tering upon  the  duties  of  their  office,  shall  give  a 
joint  and  several  bond  to  the  N.  G.  and  V.  G.,  with 
two  sureties,  to  be  approved  by  the  Lodge,  for  the 
the  faithful  performance  of  their  duties. 

Section  3.     Either  of  the  said  Trustees,  for  non- 
performance of  dut3S  or  for  misconduct,  rnav  be  re- 
moved from  his  office,  in  the  manner  prescribed   by 
the  4th  Section  of  Article  IlL  of  these  By-Laws. 
ARTICLE    VI. 

BENEFITS. 

Section  1.  Every  member  who  is  not  disquali- ' 
fied  by  the  2d  Section  of  Article  IX,  of  these  By- 
Laws,  sliall,  in  case  of  being  rendered  incapable  by 
sickness  or  accident  of  following  his  usual  occupa- 
tion, be  entitled  to,  and  shall  receive  out  of  the 
funds  ot  the  Lodge,  (provided  he  hath  attained  the 
Scarlet  degree,)  four  dollars  ;  the  Royal  Blue  de- 
gree, three  dollars  ;  otherwise,  two  dollars  per  week, 
during  his  sickness  or  disability  ;  commencing  not 
more  than  one  week  anterior  to  the  date  of  his  be- 
ing reported  to  the  Lodge.  Provided  such  sickness 
or  disability  does  not  proceed  from  immoral  conduct 
on  his  part. 

Section  2.  On  the  death  of  a  member  who  is  not 
disquahlicMl  by  the  second  Section  of  Article  IX., 
the  sum  of  thirty  dollars  shall  be  allowed  as  a  fune- 
ral benefit,  which  shall  be  disposed  of  as  provided 
for  by  Clause  2d,  Section  2d,  Article  IT.,  of  the  Con- 
stitution. And  the  Secretary  shall  notify  every 
member  of  this  Lodge  of  the  death  of  a  worthy 
brother,  in  order  that  they  may  attend  the  funeral. 

Section  3.     On  the  demise  of  the  wife  of  a  mera- 


32  BY-LAWS. 

ber,  as  qualified  by  the  second  Section  of  this  At- 
tide,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  fifteen  dollars. 

Section-  4.  The  members  of  this  Lod2;e  shall  be 
assessed  by  the  Permanent  Secret ry,  fifty  cents 
each,  on  the  death  of  a  brother  entitled  to  receive 
benefits  ;  and  twent^'-five  cents  each  on  the  death  of 
the  wife  of  a  brother,  as  provided  for  in  Section  2d 
nnil  3d  of  this  Article. 

Section  5.  Residence  at  a  distance  from  the  town 
of  South  Adams,  shall  not  discjualify  a  brother  from 
receiving  benefits,  provided  he  is  notdis(pialified  by 
the  2d  Section  of  Article  iX.  of  these  By-Laws. 
It  will  be  necessary  for  a  brother  so  circumstanced, 
to  send  to  the  N.  G.  a  true  statement  of  his  case, 
attested  by  the  N.  G.,  under  the  seal  cjf  the  Lodg:e 
nearest  to  the  place  where  he  may  be;  or,  if  no 
Lodge  be  near,  his  case,  complaint  and  circumstan- 
ces shall  be  certified  by  a  justice  of  the  peace,  or  a 
respectable  physiciaji. 

Section  6.  If  a  member  from  a  distant  Lodge 
apply  to  this  Lodge  for  relief,  on  the  presentation 
of  his  card,  his  case  shall  be  referred  to  a  commit- 
tee of  three  members,  to  investigate  the  circum- 
stances and  report  to  the  Lodge,  when,  on  motion, 
a  sum  not  exceeding  the  amount  of  one  wcek'a 
benefit  may  be  voted  for  the  relief  of  the  brother: 
unless  the  case  be  one  of  extreme  necessity,  when 
an  additional  sum  ma^'  be  voted. 

ATRICLE    VII. 

CONTINGENT    FUND. 

The  Contingent  Fund  shall  be  formed  by  contri- 
butions for  that  purpose,  the  surplus  of  funeral  as- 
sessments, and  ail  fines  collected ;  and  shall  be  held 
separate  from  the  funds  of  the  Lodge,  by  the  Treas- 


BY-LAWS.  33 

urer,  and  pledged  for  tlie  widows  and  orphans  of 
deceased  members,  under  such  regulations  as  are 
provided  for  by  Article  VIII.  of  the^e  By-Laws. 
ARTICLEVIII. 

WIDOWS      AND      ORPHA>-S. 

Section  1.  A  widow  of  a  member  of  this  Lodge, 
so  long  as  she  maintains  a  good  character,  shall  be 
entitled  to,  and  receive  from  the  Widow  and  Or- 
phan Fund,  the  sum  of  twenty-five  dollars  per  an- 
num, during  her  widowhood. 

Section  2.  In  case  there  should  be  any  orphans 
or  children  of  a  member  left  in  poverty,  without  a 
protector  or  guardian,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Trustees  to  endeavor  to  place  them  in  situations 
where  they  may  be  employed  in  gainii^* a  liveli- 
hood, and  at  the  same  time  be  preserved  from  vice 
and  infamy  ;  and  from  time  to  time  make  proper 
inquiries  into  their  situation,  and  report  to  the 
Lodge. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

FINES    AND     PENALTIES. 

Section  1.  Any  member  of  this  Lodge  who  is 
in  arrears  over  thirteen  weeks,  shall  not  be  privi- 
leged to  vote  or  speak  on  any  question  before  the 
Lodge,  nor  shall  any  brother  on  the  first  night  of 
his  membership,  have  those  privileges. 

Section  2.  Every  member  whose  dues  remain 
unpaid  for  four  weeks  after  the  commencement  of 
the  term,  shall  be  immediately  notified  by  the  Sec- 
retary, and  if  they  remain  unpaid  for  more  than  four 
weeks  thereafter,  he  shall  not  be  eligible  to  receive 
benefits  from  this  Lodge  until  tv/o  weeks  after  the 
same  shall  have  been  paid  ;  or  who,  having  been 
suspended  or  expelled,  has  been  reinstated  within 
3 


34  BY-LAW?. 

thirteen  weeks,  sliall  be  eligible  to  receive  the  ben- 
efits of  this  Lodge. 

Section  3.  Every  elected  officer  who  shall  be 
absent  from  the  Lodge  fifteen  minutes  after  the 
time  of  meeting,  shall  be  subject  to  the  penalty  of 
fifty  cents.  Should  the-  Secretary  fail  to  have  hi.4 
books  in  the  Lodge  at  the  specified  time,  he  shall 
be  subjected  to  a  fine  of  fifty  cents.  Any  member 
appointed  to  serve  on  a  committee,  and  neglecting 
to  attend  to  its  duties,  shall  be  fined  twenty -five 
cents.  Any  brother  failing  to  attend  the  funeral  of 
a  deceased  brother,  shall  be  subject  to  a  fine  of  fifty 
cents ;  and  a  brother  duly  notified  to  watch  with 
the  sick  who  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  attend  to  his 
duty,  shail  be  fined  one  dollar.  Sickness,  or  atten- 
dance upon  the  sick,  absence  from  town,  or  an  at- 
tendance upon  duty  as  a  juryman,  or  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State,  shall  be  a  sufficient  excuse  to 
remit  these  fines.  Brothers  failing  to  notify  the 
Secretary  of  a  change  of  residence,  within  three 
weeks  of  removal,  shall  be  fined  fifty  cents. 

Section  4.  The  Junior  P.  G.  present  of  this 
Lodge  shall,  for  any  neglect  on  his  part  to  perform 
the  duties  belonging  to  the  office,  be  subject  to  a 
penalty  of  fifty  cents. 

Section  5.  Any  member  who  shall,  in  the  Lodge^ 
make  use  of  any  profane  or  indecorous  expression, 
or  use  disrespectful  language  to  the  officers  or  mem- 
bers of  the  Lodge,  shall  be  subject  to  a  fine,  for  the 
first  ofTence,  of  one  dollar. 

Section  6.  Any  member  who  shall  be  guilty  of 
improper  conduct,  in  or  out  of  the  Lodge,  or  shall 
bring  charges  against  a  brother  which  he  is  unable 
to  prove,  or  shall  knowingly  propose  unworthy 
characters  for  membership,  shall  subject  himself  to 


BY-LAWS.  35 

fine,  suspension  or  expulsion,  according  to  the  enor- 
mity of  the  offfiEce. 

,'SecUon  7.  Any  member  guilty  of  habitual 
drunkenness,  or  of  heinous  offences  against  the  laws 
of  the  laud,  or  of  feigning  himself  sick,  with  a  view- 
to  abuse  the  benevolent  intentions  of  the  Order, 
shall  be  expelled. 

Section  8.  No  smoking,  or  refreshments  other 
than  water,  shall  at  any  time  be  allowed  in  tlie 
Lodge  room,  or  any  other  apartment  thereunto  be- 
longing. Any  brother  violating  this  rule  shall  be 
fined  not  less  than  ten  dollars,  or  expelled  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  X. 

MODE    or     ELECTI0>'S. 

Section  1.  At  all  elections  the  Secretary  shall 
provide  written  ballots  for  each  candidate.  It  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Warden  to  distribute  a  set  of 
ballots  to  each  member  entitled  to  vote,  and  he  shall, 
then  receive  their  votes.  It  shall  then  be  the  duty 
of  the  N.  G.  to  appoint  two  tellers,  who  with  the 
Warden,  shall  canvass  the  votes  given,  and  declare 
the  result  to  the  N.  G.j  by  whom  it  shall  be  an- 
nounced to  the  Lodge.  Any  candidate,  to  be  elec- 
ted, must  receive  a  majority  of  the  votes  given. 

Section  2.     Should  there  be  no  choice  on  the  first 

ballot,  the  candidate  having  the  smallest  number  of 

votes  shall  be  set  aside  at  the  next  ballot,  and  so  of 

every  succeeding  ballot  until  a  choice  shall  be  made. 

ARTICLE  XL 

DEGREES. 

Section  1.  All  applications  for  degrees  shall  be 
made  in  open  Lodge,  and  shall  be  balloted  for  with 
ballots.     If  not  more  than  two  black  balls  appear 


36  BY-LAWS. 

against  the  candidate,  he  shall  be  elected  ;  but  if 
three  or  more  appear  he  shall  be  rejected  for  three 
months.  And  when  degrees  shall  have  been  voted 
to  a  worthy  brother,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Per- 
manent Secretary  to  furnish  him  with  a  certificate 
of  the  same,  under  seal  of  the  Lodge,  upon  his  pay- 
ing the  amount  required. 

Section  2.  The  cost  of  degrees  conferred  in  this 
Lodge  shall  be  two  dollars  for  each  degree. 

Section  3.  No  brother  shall  be  allowed  to  vote 
degrees  to  any  brother,  who  has  not  himself  received 
the  degrees  about  to  be  voted, 

ARTICLE  XII. 

AMENDMENTS. 

No  part  of  these  By-Laws  shall  be  repealed,  an- 
nulled, suspended  or  amended,  unless  a  proposal  in 
writing  be  presented  to  the  Lodge,at  least  two  reg- 
ular meetings  previous  to  the  discussion  ;  when,  if 
two-thirds  of  the  members  present  vote  in  favor  of 
the  rngtion,  it  shall  be  adopted. 


RULES  OF  ORDER, 


I.     ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

1.  Opening  the  Lodge. 

2.  The  proceedings  of  the  last  meeting  read  by 
the  Secretary,  and  if  no  objection  be  made  to  any 
part  thereof,  they  shall  stand  approved  without  vote. 

3.  Calling  the  roll  of  Officers,  and  delinquents 
fined. 

4.  Reports  of  Investigating  Committees. 

5.  Balloting  for  members. 

6.  Candidates  admitted  for  membership. 

7.  Propositions  for  membership. 

8.  Reports  of  the  Visiting,  or  Committee  on  the 
Sick. 

9.  Communications  read  and  disposed  of. 

10.  BiUs  read  and  referred. 

11.  Reports  of  the  Committee  of  Finance. 

12.  Reports  of  Special  Committees  by  seniority. 

13.  Unfinished  business  by  priority. 

14.  New  Business. 

The  order  of  business,  as  herein  arranged,  may 
at  any  time,  for  an  occasion,  be  suspended,  changed, 
or  dispensed  with,  by  a  special  two-thirds  vote  of 
the  Lodge. 


S8  r         RULES    OF     ORDER. 

11.     OF   DECORUM. 

During  the  continuance  of  the  meeting,  the  most 
decorous  silence  must  be  observed  ;  the  officers  and 
brothers  retaining  their  respective  seats,  unless  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  leave  them  and  no  one  leaving 
the  room  without  the  permission  of  the  N.  G.,  nor 
entering  without  the  consent  of  the  V .  G. 

Every  elected  officer  and  brother  shall  be  desig- 
nated, in  debate  or  otherwise,  by  his  proper  office 
or  title,  according  to  his  standing  in  the  order. 

III.    OF  THE  CHAIR. 

The  N.  G.,  while  presiding,  shall  state  every 
question  coming  before  the  Lodge,'and  immediately 
before  putting  it  to  vote,  shall  ask,  "  Is  the  Lodge 
ready  for  the  question  .-"'  Should  no  brother  rise 
to  speak,  the  N.  G.  shall  proceed  to  state  the  ques- 
tion, and  after  he  has  risen,  no  brother  shall  be  per- 
mitted to  speak  upon  it.  He  shall  announce  the 
decision  of  the  Lodge  on  all  subjects.  He  shall  not 
speak  on  any  subject  from  the  chair.  When  his 
decision  has  been  appealed  from,  the  question  shall 
be  put  thus — "  Will  t]te  Lodge  sustain  the  Chair  in 
its  decision?'' 

IV.     OF  DEBATE. 

Every  brother,  when  he  speaks  or  offers  a  motion, 
shall  be  standing,  and  shall  respectfully  address  the 
Chair,  and  when  he  has  finished  he  shall  resume 
his  seat.  While  speaking,  he  shall  confine  himself 
to  the  question  under  debate,  avoiding  all  personal- 
ity and  indecorous  language,  as  well  as  any  reflec- 
tion upon  the  officers  or  brothers  of  the  Lodge. 

No  brother  shall  be  allowed  to  speak  over  fifteen 
minutes  at  a  time,  and  not  over  twice^^upon  the 


RULES    OF    ORDER.  39 

same  subject,  except  by  permission  of  the  N.  G. 

If  any  brother,  while  speaking  should  be  called 
to  order  by  the  N.  G.,  he  shall  cease  speaking,  and 
take  his  seat  until  the  question  of  order  is  deter- 
mined, when?  if  permitted,  he  may  again  proceed. 

Any  brother  feeling  dissatisfied  with  the  decision 
of  the  N.  G.,  can  appeal  to  the  brothers  of  the  Lodge. 

Should  two  or  more  brothers  rise  to  speak  at  the 
same  time,  the  N.  G.  shall  decide  which  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  floor. 

No  brother  shall  disturb  another  in  his  speech, 
unless  to  call  him  to  order  for  words  spoken. 

All  resolutions  offered  by  brothers  shall  be  redu- 
ced to  writing. 

No  brother  shall  be  permitted  to  speak  or  vote 
on  any  question  before  the  Lodge,  unless  clothed  in 
the  full  regalia  of  his  office. 

V.    OF  QUESTIONS   AND  VOTES. 

When  any  conmiunication,  petition,  or  memorial 
is  presented  by  a  brother  of  this  Lodge,  before  it  is 
read,  or  any  vote  taken  ou  it,  a  brief  statement  of  its 
contents  shall  be  made  by  the  introducer,  or  the  N. 
G.,  and  after  it  has  been  read,  a  brief  notice  of  the 
purport  shall  be  entered  on  the  minutes. 

No  motion  shall  be  subject  to  action  until  seconded 
and  stated  by  the  Chair,  and  at  the  desire  of  any 
^brother  shall  be  reduced  to  writing. 

AVlien  a  question  is  before  the  Lodge,  no  motion 
shall  be  received,  unless  to  close  the  Lodge ;  the 
previous  question;  to  lay  on  the  table;  to  post- 
pone ;  to  refer  ;  or  to  amend.  And  these  shall 
have  precedence  in  the  orderherein  arranged,  which, 
\vith  the  exception  of  the  last,  shall  be  decided  ^\ith- 
out  debate. 


40     ^^  RULES    OF    ORDER. 

After  miy  qiiestion  has  been  decided,  any  two 
brothers  who  voted  in  the  majority,  may,  at  the 
same  or  next  meeting,  move  for  a  reconsideration 
thereof. 

The  previous  question  can  be  called  for  by  two 
brothers,  if  seconded  by  a  majority,  and  shall  be 
put  in  this  form — "■Shall  the  mairi  question  he  now 
put .-"'  If  carried,  all  amendments  not  already  adopt- 
ed, shall  be  precluded,  and  the  main  question  taken 
without  further  debate. 

When  one  fifth  of  the  brothers  rise  in  favor  of 
taking  the  question  by  Yeas  and  Nay,  they  shall  be 
60  recorded. 


Extract  from  Proceedings  of  the  Grand    Ledge  of  TT. 

S.,  upon  the  admission  ct  members.  Adopted  Oct.  6, 1840. 

HesolveDj  That  no  individual  claiming  to  visit  or  de- 
posit his  card  in  a  Lodge  of  these  United  States  shall  be 
so  admitted,  unless  he  present  a  regular  card,  signed  by 
the  N.  G.,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  under  the  seal  of 
the  Lodge,  and  the  ncme  of  fhe  individual  holding  said 
card,  be  endorsed  thereon,  in  his  own  proper  hand  writing. 

ExTUACT  from  Article  IL   of  the  By-Laws  of  the  Grand 

Lodge  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts  : 

Section  9.  Any  member  of  the  Order  who  shall  have 
painted  upon  his  sign  any  of  the  emblems  of  the  Order^ 
or  otherwise  exhibit  them  upon  the  same,  or  have  them 
printed  or  engraved  upon  his  business  card,  or  expose  them 
in  any  public  place  as  a  sign,  t>hali  (alter  the  Lodge  of 
which  he  is  a  member  gives  him  immediate  notice,  and 
if  persisted  in,)  be  suspended  or  expelled,  agreeable  to  a 
rote  of  the  Lodge. 


INDEX. 


Introiiuciion, 3-12 

CONSTITUTION. 

Preamble,    13 

Art.  1.    Name  of  Lodge, 13 

Art.  2.      Admission   to    Membership, 14 

Contributions   and    Benefits, 15 

Penalties  and  Trials, 16 

ART.  3.     Elective  and  Appointed  Officers, 17 

Duties  of  Officers, 18 

Elections,  &c 18 

Art.  4.    Terms, 19 

Returns, 19 

Forfeiture  of  Charter, 20 

Art.  5,    Eligibility  for    Degrees, 20 

Rates  of  Degrees, 20 

Art.  6.   Amendment, « . .  .21 

Of  By-Laws, 21 

BY-LAWS. 

Article  1.    Meetings, 22 

Art.  2.    Membership 23 

Art.  3,    Officers  and  their  Duties 24 

Art.  4.     Standing  and    Special    Committees, 28 

Art.  5.    Trustees,    30 

Art.  6.    Benefits, 31 

Art.  7.    Contingent  Fund, 32 

Art.  y.    Widows   and     Orphans, 33 

Art.  9.    Fines  and  Penalties, 33 

Art,  10.    Mode  of  Elections, 35 

Art.  11.    Degrees,    35 

Art.  12,    Amendments, 36 

RULES    OF    ORDER. 

Order    of   Business, 37 

Of  Decorum  ;  Of  the  Chair  ;  Of  Debate, 38 

Of  Questions  and    Votes 39 

Extracts  from    Proceedings,   &c 40 


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